Machine for straightening and sizing castings, forgings, stampings, or the like



June 21, 1949. c. w. BELL R STRAIGHTENING AND SIZING GINGS, STAMPINGS, OR THE L CASTINGS, IKE

MACHINE FO FOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed D60. 4, 1945 24 ll' 1 25 l5 22 1N VEN TOR.

June 21, 1949 2,473,673

. C. W. BELL MACHINE FOR STRAIGHTENING AND SIZING GASTINGS, FORGINGS, STAMPINGS, OR' THE LIKE Filed Dec. 4, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 2 Q I 20 Z Z /e 23 20 2,473,673 NGS,

Sheets-Sheet 3 June 21, 1949. c. w. BELL MACHINE FOR STRAIGHTENING AND SIZING CAST]:

FORGINGS, STAMPINGS, OR THE LIKE Filed Dec 4, 1945 %//////%//%W I/ 1' f TI I 24 June 21, 1949. c. w. BELL MACHINE FOR STRAIGHTENING AND SIZING CASTINGS, FORGINGS, STAMPINGS, OR THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 4, 1945 INVENTOR. a W M Patented June 21, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MACHINE FOR STRAIGHTENING AND SIZ- ING CASTINGS, FORGINGS, STAMPINGS,

OR THE LIKE 7 Claims.

My present invention comprises a novel machine for straightening and sizing castings, forgings, formed stampings, formed stampings after welding, and other classes of formed or molded articles that necessitate straightening or sizing after the original production thereof by casting operation, stamping, forging, or similar operation.

.My present machine is adapted for performing straightening'or sizing operations upon articles of various types so long .as the material from which they are produced has suflicient inherent elasticity to admit of the straightening action thereof.

To those who are versed in the arts of casting, stamping, forging, and similar forming operations usually performed on metal articles of one kind or another, it is well known, for instance, that castings as they come from the mold are usually not true to the forms required to be taken thereby when actually used for the final purpose of their production. This is likewise true in relation to forgings, stampings, and similarly formed articles of manufacture. Thus, after the production of castings, in many instances, the castings are required to be straightened or sized to bring them down to the final form Within the tolerances permitted in relation to the exact shape thereof established by the production drawings for such article. Present day methods pursued for straightening and sizing castings involve frequently many different operations by machine or hand in order to straighten and size the ultimate casting to render it usable for the purposes for which it may beprodu-ced. Castings are frequently required to be machined by hand; and also, in many instances, they are straightened or sized by machine or hand hammer operation which latter may produce hidden fractures or weakened parts in the castings, and indeed sometimes break. the casting completely, rendering it useless. These various heretofore used straightening and sizing operations are not only expensive and time-taking, but occasionally do not actually enable the obtaining of an ultimate product which is accurate within reasonable tolerances upon comparison of same with the original measurements prescribed by the manufacturer's drawings.v The foregoing is similarly true in regard to forgings, metal stampings, and similarly formed articles, so that it is a desideratum of importance to avoid the objectionable practices customarily employed today to which. I refer above and largely utilized for the purposes of my present invention by the use of which such practices may be avoided, Y

With the foregoing in mind, the machine designed by me and hereinafter set forth more in detail as to structure and operation is operable to receive the casting, for instance, as a whole, and by the application of an even gradual pressure twist and squeeze back into the required shape, predetermined by the original measurement drawings of the article, the said casting, so that when the twisting, squeezing, and similar operation has been. performed the casting will be accurately strai htened or shaped, and set to size that is finally required for its useful purpose.

More specifically stated, my present machine comprises an assembly of mechanical devices with operating means therefor, which devices include accurately built dies which conform to the final accurately dimensioned castings, stampings, forgings, or like article, which dies are adapted to be actuated when the casting, forging. or stamping as completed by the casting, forging, or forming processing thereon res ectively, is bodily emp aced in my machine and subjected to the strai htening and sizing operation that the machine is ad pted to perform. And the operat on of my machine is susceptible of being effected without causing die marks on t e particular artiarticle, and with a minimum of spring back of such material, which minimum is within the drawing tolerances of the production drawings from which the narticular article is made.

Having in mind the foregoing ob ects of my invention, therefore, reference is made to the following description for a complete understanding of the construction of my invention, in conjunction with the annexed drawings showing one embodiment of invention as designed for the purpose of straightening and sizing castings.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l. is a vertical sectional View showing a machine structured in accordance with my invention illustrating a casting therein and showing the various parts of the machine as they are adjusted for the application of the final pressures required to straighten and size the particular casting which is being handled.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view bringing out more clearly the arrangement of certain lateral acting pressure members form-' ing a part of the upper die of my machine, the same being the male die carried by a suitable upper supporting plate.

Figure 3 is a detail sectional iew taken on the line 33 of Figure 2 and being a section through one of the pressure members.

Figure 4 is a view in elevation of one of the pressure members such as illustrated in Figure 3, alone.

Figure 5 is a sectional view somewhat similar to Figure 2, but showing only the upper complemental pressurezmemberszand disclosing amodifled means for mountingthe pressure members upon the supporting member of the upper die of which they form a part.

Figure 6 is a detail section .view on .thedine 6-6 of Figure 5.

Figure '7 is a view similar to Figure 1, but illustrating the machine in what may be stated as open condition before the upper and'lower dies are brought together and @before the casting which the dies are adapted to straighten and size is introduced into the machine.

Figure 8 is a view taken about on the section line. 8--;8 of Figure *1, Stile-section :looking downwardiy.

, Figure :9 :is a -,sectional view,fragmentary; in na' ture, *takenabout ;,on the line 9-9 of Figure .1 looking in-the'direction of the arrows.

i urelfl is a perspective view- .of a typical: castinglsuch-aszis-showniin Figure 1 and inFigure 8, and which .will .be sized and straightened by means [of the operation which is illustrated as being performed .in Figure 1.

Figure lltisa tQD Dlanviewlookingdown upon the hollow body or die :holder 'of the machine and showing [the bottom tplunger actuated plate in aposltion therein, the other superposed parts of the machine being removed.

Figure 12 is axsideyiew-oredgelview of theabottom {plunger actuating plate.

Figure 13 isfa plan ,view ofrsaidbottom actuating plate alone.

rFigure 14.-is a;plan view of *theyieldingslower pressure-plateron which the lower-die members are supported.

Figurel15 is-anredge view ofthe plate illustrated in Fi ure :14.

.Figure .16 .is -.a view of the casting shown .in Figure ,10 with arrows applied to illustrate the direction .of .the pressure ,forces a plied to the castineLin .thestrai htening ,andhsizin op ration .P- m b .my machine.

In the iollowins description of mymachine, the embodiment thereof for straightening and sizing of a predetermined construction of casting as the casting comes, from themold by whichlt is originally formed is illustrated. To this end the die members, to be more fully described later, areespecially designed for the handling of such casting,'but it will'be understood that such members wouldbe modified-in construction and shape in theevent that they are employed for operations of straightening 'difierent other shapes of castings or for straightening andsizing forgings, stampings, or other similarly formed articles of manufacture.

"Referring primarily to *Figure 7, 'my machine will-be seenlto 'comprisea suitable-support'1 upon whichiis mounted a hollowbody '2 shown 'in'Figure 10. to be :of somewhat square form looking downwardly thereon,- said-body 2 forming-a holder for-the lower die: membersshortly to be described. On the .base 1 :and arranged within 'the "hollow portion :of the. body [or holder 2 is aspiring 'supporting-plated connected wit-ha cylinder-member lathatpassesrtrhroughgthebase 2, by bolting. means designated 5. On the plate ve3:arecarrieda series of :sprinss :5 which are interposed. between :the

member 3 and the upper yieldable pressure plate designated 1, the dimensions of which are somewhat the same as those of the plate 3, the two members 6 and 1 having recesses therein in which the opposite ends of the springs 6 are seated.

On its lower side the plate I carries centrally thereof a hardened bearing member 8 provided witha ocket :to :receive ,the upperball ,head 9 of a vertically movable plunger rod I'D, which plunger rod may be actuated mechanically, hydraulically, pneumatically, or otherwise, to effect Merticaluipwardrandidownward movements there- .Qf, D1126 :lilaisupplying a fluid to cylinder ill to actuate piston :therein carrying the rod I0.

Supported upon the upper surface of the preso sure plate'fl which upper surface as seen in Figure l4 ,isshown to .beslightly beveled in opposite directions at opposite sides thereof, are the rockable,:openable, or relatively movable die shoes I I, said shoes being two ininumber in the present construction {of 'my-machine. 'Ihe dieshoes Jll are 7 seen to '.--be J of :somewhat angular 'form comprising the vertical :side members Ila andthe bottom horizontal portions or members I lb, the

. latter being adaptable to be rockinglysupported,

so tospea-k, upon .theadiacent' upper surface portions of 'the pressure ,plate.

Now .the dieshoes i'l --are of;peculiar construction to support-certain .diemembers in that they are carried-uponthe :pressure plate 1 and are susceptible .of; a relative tilting or rocking movement while carried-by the member 1. The adjacent inner edges of the horizontal portions Nb of the shoes lIare-designed-tobe'interlocked by the Jprovision'of a:malertransverse tongue I2 onthe right .hand shoe Ii as seen in Figure 7, and the provision of azfemale grooveorrecess l3iwhich isadapted to receive .the'said'tongue or projection I2. The-parts.-l2 and i3 fitiloosely together in order to'admit of the relative-rocking action of thetwo shoes ll which areillustrated, and it will be apparent that'vertical movement of the plunger IOdglU'iS adapted 313019.156 and lower the member ,1 so :as to correspondingly elevate or permit-downwardzmovement of-the. shoes ll supported on the-latter.

'Anotl'ier;feature. of construction of my machine to be particularly noted is the'fact that'the inner surfaces of the walls of the'body or holder 2 as seen ;particularly :in Figures '1 and 7 are inclined downwardly and :inwardly so that they constitute virtually cams. Complemental to the cam formationshown:atyZa-onthe drawings, and referringto the :holder 2, the outer sides or surfaces of the shoes Ha are similarly formed of downwardly and ,inclined structure to provide wedging cam parts 14 adapted to slide on and relatively'to the cam portions 2a of the holder '2 for'a purpose to-'bemore fully set forth hereinafter.

The die shoes I I are-adapted to carry die members :l5-which are-constructed to accurately conform withthe lower side portions of a casting in screw abolts i6 *between'the portions a of the shoes I l and the-die members I'5,and other screw bolts ii! :between the lowerportions llb of the shoes and-the said die-members l5. Describing the lower die means 'further, it may be noted that the same virtually comprises'a-sectional die made up of complemental members l5 as illustrated. Two die sections are shown as employed, for which reason only two of the shoes H are utilized, but it is within the purview of my invention that a greater number of the die sections l5 be availed of, dependent upon the nature of the casting to be sized or straightened, and the different angles at which pressure must be applied to such casting for performing the straightening or sizing operation. Thus the holder 2 is shown to be of generally square form, making it readily adaptable for the reception of four die shoes H, in which event there would be a corresponding number of sections of the lower die means utilized directly secured to such shoes, and, if desired, the outer surfaces of the die shoes would be made of cam formation for a purpose to be hereinafter set forth, and for which purpose the cam formations M are shown in the drawing.

The die members l5 are formed with opposite recesses, see Figure l and Figure '7, in which are disposed the ends of expansion springs it, said springs l8 preferably located near the upper and lower portions of the die members, and acting to separate the die members and the shoes H when the pressure plate l is in its upraised position and so held by means of the actuating plunger It), see Figure 7.

The die members l5 on their female or receiving portions are equipped with inserts it in the form of hardened metal buttons the heads of which are designed to exert pressure forces on certain parts of the casting, which are to be straightened or brought to size, the action of these parts on the casting being clearly illustrated in Figure l.

The parts of the casting with which the inserts l9 cooperate, as seen in Figure 1, may be members that are required subsequently to be drilled to provide journals or any like parts.

It is notable also that carried on the upper surfaces of the members i la of the die shoes are other hardened inserts 2b the upper surfaces of which are designed to cooperate with corresponding inserts 2i carried by the upper die supporting or holding member or plate 22, see Figures 1 and '7. The die holding plate 22 carries the upper male die 23. and said plate 22 is supported upon or at the lower end of a plunger 24, which may be hydraulically operated also, to produce vertical movement thereof in carrying the upper male die member 23 into and out of cooperating relation in respect to the lower die members it. The plate 22 may be connected detachably with the plunger 24 by means of a dovetail tongue and groove connection shown at 25.

Having in mind the construction of my lower die members l5 and shoes Ii, it is notable that the upper die member 23 will be equipped with hardened pressure inserts 26 similar to those designated Iii which are carried by the lower die members l5. In fact, the inserts 26 are designed to cooperate with the inserts ill, as quite apparent by the method of depicting the operation of my machine in its final straightening and sizing operation according to Figure 1. In order to ob tain lateral pressure functions in certain actions of the upper male die member 23 to obtain certain sizing and straightening pressure actions on the casting introduced into my machine for the purpose hereinbefore referred to, I equip the upper die member 23 with certain expansible or wedging pressure parts. As seen in Figure 7 the die mem ber. 23 has a depending projection 23a, and on thisyprojection are mounted yieldable pressure elements 21 which are in the iorm of'complemental wedges or camming parts that slide up and down upon the convergin surfaces of the projection 23a at opposite sides of which th y are arranged. The members Z'i may be interlocked with the projection 23a by means of a dovetail tongue as seen in Figures 2 to 4 inclusive said tongue designated 28 and operating in a groove on the adjacent side of the projection A stop plate it prevents displacement of the members 2'! from the projection 23:; by abutment action in respect to a portion of the tongue 28, as quite evident from the illustration in Figures 2 to 4 inclusive. Suitable expansion springs are mounted in recesses in the upper ends of the members 2'! and in shoulder portions of the projection 23a and are designated iii and seen bestin. figure 2. The laterally shifting cannning pressure pieces or members 2'5 are in duplicate and are located near the upper portion of the male die 23. For the purpose of handling the straightening and sizing of the casting shown, the lower end portion of the die 23 will be equipped with a single camrning pressure member iii substantially of the construction previously described in reference to the member 2'5 and similarly acted upon by means of a, spring 32, so that the member 35, like the member ill, will normally be projected downwardly and will yield upwardly as the die member 23 moves down into the female die members it, so that the camming actions on the parts 2'? and 3! will be in a lateral pressure direction.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate merely a modification of my invention in which I utilize link devices 34 for connecting the camming members, designated Zia in this instance, to the projection of the upper or male die of my machine.

With the foregoing description I have set forth the primary and essential features of construction of my machine, and I will now describe the operation of the same.

The parts of the machine of my invention will be assumed to be in the position of Figure .7. At time the shoes i l and die members elevated and will be supported yieldably upon the springs through the action of the pressure plate The die member 23 is uplifted and the die parts may be described as in their opened condi" tion or position. Any lifting pre ure on the rod. or member ill will be released t rough release of the hydraulic controls for thi member.

The casting as it is received from the mold is now arranged in the space between. the lower die members IE on the shoes ii and generally disposed in proper position for o"- ration thereon to effect the straightening and Si ng action.

Thereupon, the plunger 72%, carrying the plate 22, is caused to lower and move dowi.r .vardly the upper male die 23, the members 2'5 and of which are in their lower position. When the upper die 23 makes contact with the upper side portions of the casting, a downward pressure is exterted upon the casting, upon the die members 55, and upon the shoes Ii supporting said die member. This action of moveaent downwardly of the shoes it causes a cooperation between the can: surfaces it and roof the r ibers ii and 2 respectively, and the casting, 1S moved down wardly as a whole, and an even gradual pressure applied thereto by which to squeeze and twist the parts of the casting into the proper form and shape predetermined by tli original production dimensional drawing defin-ng the appropriate I shape and size of said casting. In this manner the. nestingisz'finally-sshaped. and sset to :the accurate size ateguiredlwithithe :only allowancethat fjorcustomary tolerances. Under these conditions the partszo'f .my:machine.will be in the condition represented. :by'JEigure 1. and when the male die 23 is.lowereddtisgevident that-the pressure members 2;! and 3|:willzbe caused to moved upwardby contact with portions ,at "the iupper side or sides of .the castinggso as to-obtain-thenecessarypressure dorcestthat-mayibe exerted laterally necessarily in order to, get the proper set and final-.formo'f certain elementszof-thecasting. .The actionaof the partstnandj|,:of whatever number may i11Sed,.iW 11=.bB automatic in the closing; together ofrthe several zdie members 15 and 23, and the downwardmovement-ofthe parts II and 15 of course will;lower the :pressure plate 1' as permitted by theyielding, resistance of-the expansion springs fi.

The-sizing, and straightening. :operation of .the castin having, been completed in the manner described, the next operation is to remove the sized and straightenedcasting. vThis operation is performed simply by raising-theplunger 24 with the plate 22ant1'maledie;23.andsthereupon, by the means .Provided, raising-therod or-=member l to elevate the pressure plate J and correspondingly elevate the shoes ,H and female die l5. This action causes :areleasepf .the pressure between the cams lkandlarofrtheparts .H and '2 respectively,.and.the springs-l8 will thereupon. movethe die members A Sapartandlpermit of ready manual displacement of the casting-which-has now been shaped and sized totthe correct dimensions requiredfor subsequent-operations: to be performed that may be necessary :tocomplete the construction of the casting.

It ,is of course tobe understood thatthe members 21 or M, or equivalent members, may be differently arranged at yarious angles than those shown in the drawings, dependent upon the kind of casting which .is=tobe-operated upon. Figure lfizillustratesdthe casting-and shows by arrows the distribution of the pressure forces by which the castin is finallysettrue to its required ultimate shape.

It is contemplated-that-zt-he machine of my invention may bee-mployed-as an inspection testing fixture ormachine for inspecting castings -for defective rwelding or :for similar inspection of forgings to find defectsthatmight llatersshow up in service.

By the. use of my machine, many manual or machine finishing operations that are required todayrin conjunction today with rough castings are whollyzavoided, and it is :obvious that the production'of :castings with the use of my-machine may betremendously increasediin so far as obtaining final castings which are true to size and necessary ultimate shape.

Resetting of thesrelation of the upper and lower die members may beaccomplished byreplacement of the pressure inserts .20 and 2| in an obvious manner. These membersand the inserts l9, and also-thepressureparts 2-1 and 3 I, may be replaced, ifundulyworn, as whenlarge-rims of castings are straightened and-sized'by my machine.

Theprinciples of-nse and :operation of my machine as above explained are similarly availed of in'straightening and sizing forgings, stampings, stampings'with welds, etc., the necessary dies for such purpose being utilized.

InFigure 1'6 the somewhat diagrammatic =i1- lustration-shows, :by arrows, the directions, of

pressure straightening and twisting orees obtained =in the :operation .of :my :machine, in! straightening and sizing a casting -of -the.-kind depicted. Obviously, different: castings, rforgings. stampings, .etc will :require the use of ,dieimembers designed gparticularly for them. :In Figure.'-.9 I show .movable pressure die members :35 .and guiding and'spring means after the manner o! the structure'of'Figure 2, .but which cannot -,be seen in;Figures 1 :and 7 as carried by the maindiemembers 23,. These members would act to size the;part ,of the-casting designated X in iEig- 11).;8 e116.

.ZI-Iaving thus described my invention, what I- claimas :new and desire to. secure by Letters 'Patentof the United States is:

.al. 'In -a straightening and sizing machine, in combination, a 'holder comprising a hollow "body, movable :die shoes therein having bottom rocker portions, lower relatively movable die members carried by said shoes, a support abovetheholder, a die member on said support complemental to the lower die members, and means to 'close the said die members together and simultaneously move the lower die members relatively to each other, combined with yielding means .rockably supporting the bottomrocker portions of thedie shoes for the said movementof the die members.

2.;In a straightening and sizing machine, in combination, a holder comprising a hollow body, a base member on which'the holder is mounted, a-plurality ofdie shoes in-said holder havingad-- jacentcends; the shoes. and holder having coacting, partsto-cam the shoes from open to'closed ,positions after a formed article is disposed .therebetween, and means to move the shoes-downward to close the same, combined witha yieldable pressureplate in the holder and on which the shoes are carried, the adjacent-ends of the shoes-beingrockably interlocked.

"3. In a. straightening and sizing machine, .a. holder comprising an outer hollow body having downwardly and inwardly inclined camming walls, die. shoes having outer cam surfaces coacting with said walls and mounted in the holder, a yieldablesupport in the holder on which the shoes are rockably carried, a base member on which theholder is mounted, the die shoes being interlocked at their lower portions for rocking spreading movement at their upper portions, lower die members on the die shoes, spring. means between adjacent portions of the shoes to separate them when they are elevated, a support above the holder, .and movable downward toward the. holder, and upper die members on .the support to enter between the lower die members ondownward movement of they support to effect rocking. pressure movementof the lower die shoes and die. members thereof toward each other and toward. the upper die members.

4.. ,A machine as claimed in claim 3, in which theshoe support is combined withpressure means operating upwardly from said base member-to move said shoe support for coaction with the interlocking portions of the die shoes to cause rock'- ing apart of the die shoes and lower die-members.

5. A machine as claimed 'in'claim 3, in which theshoe'support-is combined with pressure means operating upwardly from said base member to move said'shoe support for coactionwiththe interlocking portions of the die shoes to cause rocking apart of thedleshoesand 'lowerdie members, said pressure means including a pressure plate 'on said base member "having a bearing against "the interlocked portionsof the die :shoas,

and lifting means bearing upwardly against said pressure plate.

6. In a straightening and sizing machine, a holder comprising an outer hollow body having downwardly and inwardly inclined camming walls, die shoes having outer cam surfaces coacting with said walls and mounted in the holder, a yieldable support in the holder on which the shoes are rockably carried, a base member on which the holder is mounted, the die shoes being interlocked at their lower portions for rocking spreading movement at their upper portions, means for spreading said shoes, lower die members on the die shoes, a support above the holder, and mov able downward toward the holder, upper die members on the support to enter between the lower die members on downward movement of the support to efiect rocking pressure movement of the lower die shoes and die members thereof toward'each other and toward the upper die members.

7. In a straightening and sizing machine, a holder comprising an outer hollow body having downwardly and inwardly inclined camming walls, die shoes having outer cam surfaces coacting with said walls and mounted in the holder, 2. yieldable support in the holder on which the shoes are rockably carried, a base member on 10 which the holder is mounted, the die shoes being freely fioatably mounted for rocking spreading movement at their upper portions, lower die members on the die shoes, spring means between adjacent portions of the shoes to separate them when they are elevated, a support above the holder, and movable downward toward the holder, and upper die members on the support to enter between the lower die members on downward movement of the support to efiect rocking pressure movement of the lower die shoes and die members thereof toward each other and toward the upper die members.

CLARENCE W. BELL.

REFERENCES CITED The following referenbes are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 787,059 Stoddard Apr. 11, 1905 1,258,424 McLouth Mar. 5, 1918 1,664,904 Stanek Apr. 3, 1928 1,672,044 Stanel; June 5, 1928 1,823,557 Bowen Sept. 15, 1931 1,973,890 Tormyn et al Sept. 18, 1934 

